When discussing the past in reality therapy, practitioners focus on what aspect?

• A. Past traumas
• B. Past successes
• C. Past relationships
• D. Past diagnoses

Answer: (B)

Reality therapy centers on present behavior and responsibility, using the past mainly to highlight what has worked before. When the past is discussed, the focus is on past successes—the specific actions a person took that met their needs. This emphasis helps build a sense of personal effectiveness and shows concrete strategies that can be repeated now to solve current problems. It shifts the focus from dwelling on what went wrong to recognizing what demonstrated control over outcomes and then applying those same choices today.

Past traumas, past relationships, or past diagnoses aren’t the main focus in this approach. Traumas belong to other therapeutic orientations; diagnoses label issues rather than guide present choices; relationships may be relevant but aren’t the central topic of discussion in reality therapy. If useful, mention how a past successful approach can be applied again now, reinforcing the idea that the person has the power to shape their present and future through deliberate decisions.